2. amps-preamps
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EAR 868 vs VTL 5.5 II

Hi there ! i am inclined to purchase the ear 868 preamp w phonostage at $7k which i tried w my set up and i am just wandering if anyone have compared the VTL 5.5 II w phonostage against ear 868 w phono.

Any comments & suggestions are greatly appreciated.

My Set up are

Turntable : Michell ORBE/SME V arm / Ortofon Cadenza Black
Speaker : Anthony Gallo 3.1
Pre Amp : VTL 5.5 series 1 w/out phono - im using DIY
phono preamp ( fair enough but not very good )
Amp : Musical Fidelity 550k supercharger as main amp
Wires : Acoustic Zen Satori - spkr cables
Acoustic Zen Krakatoa - Power chords
XLO Signature - Interconnect
Van Del Hul - SME V built in Tonearm Cable

Thanks.
sgm
mribob
229 posts
 
I too am interested in the response to this post; I was planning on evaluating the EAR 868 without phone vs the VTL 6.5 without phone...I'm seeing more used EAR gear now posted; but don't know much about the sound and quality..any people with experience; I'd welcome your opinions...
Thanks.
sgm OP
11 posts
 
Thanks for your interest Mribob.

I think VTL 5.5 is the counterpart of this ear 868 coz of the same pricing at $ 5,295. I think VTL 6.5 will be better and more costly.

Anyaway i look forward to your opinion after you have evaluated those two wonderful stuff.

Thanks.
analog_soul
44 posts
 
I've heard the 868 with phono. What it gives you is involvement, clear presentation of the artist and good tonal balance. Surprisingly for a tube, it has a fast transient and good dynamics. The it's a transformer coupled circuit. The phono section is very flexible using 4, 6, 40 ohms loading that will mate with various cartridges.
sgm OP
11 posts
 
Thanks for your comment Analog_soul.

I agree with your observation with ear 868 and it also
has texture of live performance sound than my previous VTL 5.5 series 1 but with outboard phonostage.

I havent compared it with VTL 5.5 II w phono for closer comparison.
sgm OP
11 posts
 
To : Analog_soul

I sincerely ask your comments on my listed audio gears above to which is the weakest link or the item i should upgrade first after the ear 868.

The Gallo 3.1 speaker sounds great with those gear however i am craving for more warm presentation and dynamics for a more involving listening.

Thanks Again.
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